Saturday Challenge Cup predictions: Castleford to heap more misery on Rhinos

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for the Betfred Challenge Cup sixth-round tie between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC Two, 4.30pm Saturday

Best bets

Castleford Tigers
2pts 15-8 bet365, Betfred

Leigh Centurions +14
1pt 10-11 bet365

Match previews

Leeds Rhinos' miserable start to the season culminated in head coach Richard Agar leaving his post last Monday and the Headingley men could see their Betfred Challenge Cup hopes end too against Castleford Tigers.

The Rhinos have won just one of their opening six fixtures in the Betfred Super League and they are the lowest scorers in the competition with just 90 points.

Leeds have had to do it the hard way with fixtures against five of the current top seven sides in their opening raft of matches.

Only Wakefield have been bettered by the 14-time cup winners, who were hammered by Salford and Hull in their last two league outings.

The search for a new head coach is underway but a sudden upturn in fortunes is unlikely for a side bereft of confidence.

Cas have fared little better, also winning just one game, and they are conceding at an alarming rate of 30 points per game.

They have also had a tough opening schedule with a win over Hull FC their only bright spot.

The Tigers are adapting to life under new head coach Lee Radford but he boasts a great pedigree in this competition having won back-to-back Challenge Cups with Hull FC in 2016 and 2017.

Radford's men have won three of their last six meetings with Leeds, but two of those came at Headingley, where Cas often raise their game backed by a huge away following.

They came out on top 32-18 on their last visit to the venue and the Tigers look a decent bet to sink their claws into the wounded Rhinos.

In Saturday's other sixth-round matches, Hull FC, St Helens and Catalans should have little trouble seeing off Championship opposition but Hull KR could be made to work hard when they entertain Leigh Centurions.

Leigh were relegated from Super League last season where they won just two matches despite some battling performances.

However, they have won five of their six matches in the second tier and should arrive in East Yorkshire in decent spirits.

Hull KR have made an inconsistent start to the season, winning just two of their opening six, and points have been hard to come by.

Rovers are the second-lowest scorers in Super League with just 92 points, and the Centurions will arrive in Hull primed for battle.

KR should be too strong but Leigh deserve respect with a decent 14-point start on the match handicap.

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